Margie and The Journey Home

Margie is on her way back to Indiana but her departure was delayed by one day.  We now expect her in the early morning of  May 6.  Edited... Margie will not be coming in now until May 10 in the early afternoon.   Spirit Air won't fly though the volcano "whatever" so flights have been cancelled.   How great it is she has friends in Costa Rica.  No worry about Margie, as she is surrounded by a very supportive community.     
 

The Journey Home, our April mission focus will soon be receiving the offering that was shared by our congregation...$409 will be sent this week to help in providing a safe environment for 11 military veterans who otherwise would be homeless.  THAN KS  Valparaiso 1st United Methodists for giving through the "connection".  The Journey Home was selected by the National/International Mission team because of our interest in providing a hand up to the homeless community. This particular focus of addressing homeless veterans is not addressed here however it does provide our leadership with information about possibilities for veterans who stop by and are in need of a residential facility.  We are now able to offer this connection to a veteran in our area. 

Thanks again for your support.     

 

Graduation time at UBL

Gustavo, Margie and Beauvais

Margie is winding down her time at UBL for the "spring" semester. She writes:

Today was a very special day for me...the graduation of some UBL students who have earned their Bachelors or Licenciate Degrees in Bible or in Theology.  Here I am rejoicing with these two dear friends with whom I have had the privilege of working side by side on the corrections of their theses...to the left is Gustavo Perez, a Colombian who has lived for several years with his family here in Costa Rica, and to the right is Beauvais Mervileus from Haiti, who is leaving in one more week to return to his beloved country after spending three whole years here at the UBL earning both degrees in Bible.  What wonderful assets these two men are/will be in the leadership within their churches and communities!!  Another JOY for me today was to hear the names of three other students who graduated en ausencia, whom I know, and the man from Bolivia now living in Canada I was happy to review and correct his graduate thesis by "long distance" e-mail services!! Such blessings!  Much love to you all, Margie

April 15 and the Mission Focus is ...

THE JOURNEY HOME

  

THE JOURNEY HOME is a residential facility for war veterans.   Statistically 23% of our homeless in the United States are veterans so this is an important ministry for those who have literally given their life for others.   Sometimes living with all of the aftermath of being in a war is not easy to adjust to living with family and friends when they return. 

A highly motivated and professional staff help the veteran transition back into society and become a productive member of the community and help rebuild a broken family unit.  Several local employers have committed to hire them while they reside here, when they are ready for work.   On the job training is also available from some employers.  Today 11 residents, 5 who have just returned from Iran/Iraq/Afghanistan wars, are working through the issues of being productive members of society after the experiences of war.   

This particular facility is in Winchester, IN which is near the east central border of Ohio.  David Byrum is now the District Superintendent of that district and is pleased to have this ministry a part of the Indiana Conference Advance projects.  Few facilities exist in our country and this is only one of two that exist in our state.  

Please use the link to the website for The Journey Home.   A powerful story of  Andrew Powers is shared.  

The National and International Mission Team seeks to support ministries in our connectional church that respond to the needs of others.  Your extra attention to this ministry is much appreciated. It is just other way that we at Valparaiso 1st UMC reach out to the least of these.   Thanks for your generous gift.      

Margie in her element

Margie with friends...playing games and enjoying one another. 

Found this photo on Facebook.   Some blog readers may have seen it but some of the blog readers are not on Facebook so I share with you.  
Margie is winding down her time (for this winter and spring) in Costa Rica.   Her estimated return date is May 3 so we lift her up in prayers as she prepares for the journey again.  Now just because she is "coming home" doesn't mean she will be home.   She will surely continue her journey here in the US as she visits the families of Sarah, Rachel, and Naomi.   Whenever it is she loves our warm welcome back.  
How's the painting coming along Margie?   We were so blessed with the opportunity to be part of that project.   See you soon. 

Early stages of the parsonage

The Valparaiso 1st's Mission for Dominican Republic includes continuing the construction of a parsonage.   Our team will assist local workers.   Here are a few photos of the beginning of the parsonage in late February.   They will continue to build as long as they have money for supplies.   We are one of the few places in the world that can borrow money to build a house.   Most places must raise the money as the building goes up.  In some mission areas our church family has visited, a home or church may take 10 years or more to build.   And when it is done...it is completely paid for.   May be worth thinking about. 

Working with the Dominican laborers ensures that we will get to know the people of this beautiful island.   Team members are encouraged to learn a bit of Spanish.   We will have interpreters working with the team, however, any attempt to speak Spanish is much appreciated.  So team...for those with no Spanish language skills, let's work on the greetings and some common phrases to start with.   Even 10 new words will make a difference. 

Our team is complete...



Monte Rojo Church will be our home away from home in June

With a full team we are now in the final stages of preparation for our mission journey to Dominican Republic June 13-21.  All our held airline tickets have been filled with wonderful, faith-filled, adventurous people.   Our team is unique with the following makeup...

• 4 females and 8 males   (usually it is the other way around)
• 5 adults and 7 youth/young adults   (great energy!!)
• 7 members of FUMC  (3 who have not been on an international mission experience)  
• 5 college youth and 2 experienced high school youth (the HS youth have been on 2 previous international mission trips)
• 4 youth who have command of the Spanish language (we are so blessed with these Spanish language learners!!)

In the next 3 months our team will begin to prepare to be with the churches in Dominican Republic and our Missionaries Ardell and Gordon Graner.  One of our challenges will be to raise enough funds for the project.   We have been asked to provide $3,000 to $5,000 to assist the church in Mt. Rojo with the construction of a parsonage.   Each team member is financially responsible for all ($1,600) of their own expenses which includes airfare, room and board, insurance, ground transportation and a portion of the project cost. 

 

We may also be invited to plan children's activities for the churches in the area.   We will need to collect supplies for art projects and maybe some other things that will provide the opportunity for us to develop a relationship with their church family.  You can be part of our "home" team by praying for our journey,  you can be our "Cheerleaders" as we prepare, you can help support the mission with your gifts, you can help us collect the art supplies once the supply needs have been shared.    

Let the painting begin!!!

Thanks to all who "Chipped In to Spruce UP" the dorm rooms at the Latin American Bible University (UBL).   Today $600 was sent to the school via Margie Miller so that paint can be purchased.   Soon students will be leaving the school to go home for the break or they have finished their program, then these vacated rooms will be cleaned and painted in preparation for a new students.   Be sure to check back for photos in April...I know our inside person will get a few before she returns to Valparaiso in May.   THANKS ALL.